If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

My lathe is completed. and Wood Gloat

Well I finally completed my lathe, now just ironing out the small glitches in the test phases. It is powered by a 1 hp leeson motor, and the main support is 6" x 6" H beam with 1/4 plate welded on both sides. The bottom supports are 3/8" thick 3" x 3" angle. low speed is around 300 rpm. I had put a large unbalanced blank on it last night and it is very stable with no vibration or movement. I would have to thank my father in-law for the use of his welder. Also after I told him my heavy duty lathe was almost completed he dropped of the wood in the other pictures. I may have exaggerated the capabilities of the lathe to him.
Thanks to everyone here for the help with the speed reduction questions I had ...couldn't have done it with out you.

Re: My lathe is completed. and Wood Gloat

Wow! I am a fan of home-made equipment. This is great, the equivalent of an expensive bowl lathe. It looks like you used a heavy duty jack shaft for the headstock. How did you get the theads for the end of the shaft?
Great score on the wood too.

Re: My lathe is completed. and Wood Gloat

Thanks Chimera , The wood burls are yellow Birch. still trying to decide how to start cutting them.
yes it is primarily a bowl lathe but I am already thinking of designing a tail stock as well that could be attached to the tool rest anchors. The switch was just extra sitting in the garage so i have used it for now...What kind of switch would you suggest, it never occurred to me that it would not suit the purpose.
Thanks

Re: My lathe is completed. and Wood Gloat

The switch was just extra sitting in the garage so i have used it for now...What kind of switch would you suggest, it never occurred to me that it would not suit the purpose.
Thanks

Motor type loads (inductive) arc heavily when the circuit is opened. Standard light switches aren't made with the contacts rated for breaking such loads. All this really means, is that your switch will have a much shorter life span compared to something designed for the application. However, you can buy a couple dozen builder grade light switches for the same cost as manual motor starter (switch)....lol.

My "official" recommendation is to buy a properly rated switch, but if it were me, I wouldn't ...

Re: My lathe is completed. and Wood Gloat

thanks for the info guys. The switch may move as I see what works best but i thing for the price for now i will use it
The main shaft is 1 1/4 and that is the only part I had to send out, a machine shop made it for me and keyed the other end for 75.00.
I had seen a picture somewhere last year and I just happened in January to see a big....Free Chunk of H beam and then it hit me.
I mainly built it for roughing out large blanks that make my other lathe walk all over the shop.

Re: My lathe is completed. and Wood Gloat

Jason,
great job on the lathe, I was thinking of something like that for backyard summer turning. Now to start looking for materials! Habitat for Humanity Re-store regularly has industrial 3 phase switches for 480volt lighting or motor starting. They are always cheap (I paid $1 for one) as nobody knows what they are for. They have 3 screw terminals on both sides and each is an independent contact. They are usually rated for more hp than you have, just look at the switch as the rating is almost always on the switch. They never burn out, if they do move your wires to another contact on the switch. I burnt out 3 light switches on my 3/4 hp tablesaw before installing one of these and have had no problems since.

Re: My lathe is completed. and Wood Gloat

I just removed an used Allen Bradley, 120/240v, 1hp, 1ph motor "switch" from a line we're decommissioning. Not sure where you're at Jason, but it's yours pro bono if you want it. Comes with the designed enclosure as well...

Re: My lathe is completed. and Wood Gloat

Cool Jason very cool! Homemade Lathe were fairly common back in the day. It looks like you have done a good job. A couple of quick ideas, do put the switch somewhwere you can get to it quick I like a spot I can hit it with mt knee. I know guarding has been over done but I would look at putting something over the top of the headstock. Years ago I used an old lathe with open step pulleys on the top and I found I would often rest my hand there while sanding. Never lost anything but scared myself a few times.